Dissociative anesthetics (DAs) have historically been used in clinical settings because of their effective sedation and analgesic properties. As interest in ketamine increases--with esketamine FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression--so has the potential for misuse of racemic ketamine. PCP was discontinued as an anesthetic in 1965, but illicit use has persisted because of its euphoric and dissociative effects. This presentation will provide an overview of common DA drugs. Topics will include pharmacologic differences between DAs and other CNS depressants and common behaviors linked with polysubstance use. Physical, cognitive, and behavioral effects observed in authentic DWI/DUI investigations from Palm Beach County, Florida, and Houston, Texas, will be highlighted.
- Understand the effects of dissociative anesthetics and how they differ from other CNS depressants.
- Identify behaviors and indicators of dissociative anesthetic use in DWI/DUI investigations.
- Demonstrate understanding of behaviors that may be seen in polysubstance cases when dissociative anesthetics are combined with other common impairing substances.
Edward Zumaeta
Senior Forensic Scientist - Toxicology
Palm Beach County Sherriff's Office
Edward Zumaeta is a Senior Forensic Scientist in the Toxicology Unit at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) in West Palm Beach, FL. Mr. Zumaeta holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Central Florida. He also received a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Michigan State University. Before his employment at PBSO, Mr. Zumaeta was a Crime Laboratory Analyst in the Toxicology Section at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement from 2014 to 2021. He is board-certified as a Diplomate in Forensic Toxicology by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT). He is a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), where he served as a committee member for the Young Forensic Toxicologists committee. He is also an Associate member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).
Erika Pennings
Forensic Scientist – Toxicology
Houston Forensic Science Center
Erika Pennings is board-certified forensic toxicologist as a Diplomate in Forensic Toxicology by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology. She currently serving as a Forensic Scientist III in the Toxicology section at the Houston Forensic Science Center and licensed as a Forensic Analyst in Toxicology (Interpretative) by the Texas Forensic Science Commission. She earned her Master of Science degree in Biomedical Forensic Sciences at the Boston University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is an active member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) where she currently serves as the Vice Chair of the SOFT Young Forensic Toxicologist (YFT) Committee and is an associate member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).
Key:
Complete
Next
Failed
Available
Locked
Recording
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin. | 60 minutes
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin. | 60 minutes
